FSDB

Parent Services

Parent Infant Programs

The first years of a child’s life provide the foundation for later learning. Research suggests that the period between birth and five years of age is a critical window for development. Young children with hearing or vision loss have the same needs as other young children. The impact of hearing or vision loss, however, can create unique development needs.

Watch the Parent Infant Program Overview video:

The Parent Infant Programs (PIP) at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) offer early intervention, family-centered programs for children ages 0-5 who are deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired, free of charge. Services are provided in the family’s home and during daily routines, in the child’s natural environment.

Families are paired with a certified Parent Advisor (PA) who has received specialized training in working with families who have infants and young children who are deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired. Through regular visits, the PA addresses family concerns and helps to determine goals and priorities. Together families, caregivers, and PAs share information, discuss ideas and adaptations, and monitor the child’s progress. This program enhances the family’s ability to assist their child in becoming a participating family member and a part of the larger community.

One of our two PIP tracks, designed for children who are blind/visually impaired, focuses on learning through the senses, orientation and mobility, communication skills, developmental skills, and transitioning into a school system. The program uses the VIISA curriculum which includes acquiring a wide range of skills and concepts that work for the child and family, as well as information about resources and support services.

One of our two PIP tracks, designed for children who are deaf/hard of hearing, focuses on language development, communication options, understanding hearing aids/cochlear implants, child development, and transitioning into a school system. The program uses the internationally known SKI-HI curriculum, which supports families by offering unbiased information. FSDB programs respect and support any communication methods that work for the child and family.